KINGSTON, R.I.— Sept. 17, 2025— University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange will celebrate the University’s progress and the achievements of its faculty, staff, students, and graduates during his annual State of the University address Friday, Sept. 19. The event will kick off the University’s Homecoming Weekend celebration.
During his address, Parlange will highlight important steps taken in support of the University’s land-grant mission and some of the past year’s accomplishments.
Over the past year, URI achieved several significant milestones, including being ranked the No. 1 public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal and earning prestigious Carnegie R1 status, ascending to top tier of U.S. research universities.
“It’s about impact,” Parlange said of the R1 classification. “We are a powerhouse for research and education fueling discoveries that benefit not just our students and faculty but Rhode Island, the nation, and the world. Public universities like ours have a unique responsibility—and we’re rising to the challenge. This is also a call to action. Achieving R1 is not the finish line—it’s the beginning of a new era at URI.”
Interest in the state’s flagship research university reached an all-time high this year. URI received over 28,000 first-year undergraduate applications for the fall 2025 semester, as well as a record number of applications to its graduate programs.
Parlange is now in his fifth year leading the state’s flagship public research university.
The event will take place at 4 p.m. in Edwards Hall on the University’s Kingston Campus. Space is limited. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are encouraged to register to attend the event.
WHO: University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange
WHAT: State of the University address
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, Kingston Campus
The address will also be streamed live at uri.edu.
TO MAKE COVERAGE ARRANGEMENTS: Contact Dawn Bergantino, URI Communications and Marketing, at 401-874-4147, or dawn_bergantino@uri.edu. Members of the media may park in the Higgins Welcome Center parking lot (GPS address: 75 Briar Lane, Kingston, R.I., 02881). A visitor parking pass may be obtained inside the Welcome Center or in advance through this office.